FabDigitFabDigit

Steel 35# vs A352 Grade LC3

Steel · grade comparison

Steel 35# and A352 Grade LC3 are both steel grades. 35# is the stronger of the two: tensile strength 560 MPa (81.2 ksi) against 530 MPa (76.9 ksi) for A352 Grade LC3, about 6% more. In exchange, A352 Grade LC3 is the more ductile: elongation 30% versus 22% for 35#. 35# runs hotter in service (400°C vs 340°C continuous) and 35# conducts heat better (49 W/m·K vs 36 W/m·K). On the shop floor, A352 Grade LC3 welds better (very good vs good) and 35# sits in a lower cost tier (budget, $) than A352 Grade LC3 (premium, $$$).

35#Choose it when strength drives the design, or when the part sees heat.

A352 Grade LC3Choose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when it will be welded.

35# vs A352 Grade LC3: properties

35#A352 Grade LC3

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

207 GPa30 Msi
200 GPa29 Msi

Shear Modulus

80 GPa11.6 Msi
78 GPa11.3 Msi

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

560 MPa81.2 ksi
530 MPa76.9 ksi

Elongation at Break

22%
30%

Shear Strength

400 MPa58 ksi
350 MPa50.8 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

250 MPa36.3 ksi
225 MPa32.6 ksi

Fracture Toughness (K_IC)

55 MPa·√m50.1 ksi·√in
110 MPa·√m100 ksi·√in

Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)

60 J44.3 ft·lbf
120 J88.5 ft·lbf

Hardness, Rockwell B

83 HRB
84 HRB

Compressive Strength

—
330 MPa47.9 ksi

Same in both: Bulk Modulus 160 GPa23.2 Msi · Poisson's Ratio 0.29 · Yield Strength (0.2% offset) 330 MPa47.9 ksi · Reduction in Area 50% · Hardness, Brinell 160 HB · Hardness, Vickers 168 HV

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Same in both: Density 7.85 g/cm³0.28 lb/in³ · Melting Point (Solidus) 1,425°C2,597 °F · Liquidus Temperature 1,500°C2,732 °F

Thermal

How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.

Thermal Conductivity

49 W/m·K28.3 BTU/hr·ft·°F
36 W/m·K20.8 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Specific Heat Capacity

477 J/kg·K0.11 BTU/lb·°F
470 J/kg·K0.11 BTU/lb·°F

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

11.6 µm/m·K6.4 µin/in·°F
11.5 µm/m·K6.4 µin/in·°F

Latent Heat of Fusion

250 J/g107 BTU/lb
270 J/g116 BTU/lb

Max Service Temperature (continuous)

400°C752 °F
340°C644 °F

Min Service Temperature

-20°C-4 °F
-101°C-150 °F

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Conductivity

10 % IACS
7.2 % IACS

Electrical Resistivity

1.7×10⁻⁷ Ω·m6.69 µΩ·in
2.4×10⁻⁷ Ω·m9.45 µΩ·in

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)

-0.65 V
-0.61 V

Corrosion Resistance

11 / 100
15 / 100

Manufacturability

FabDigit workshop ratings (0–100 scores) — how each material behaves on the machine.

Machinability

60 / 100
55 / 100

Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)

65%
60%

Weldability

55 / 100
70 / 100

Formability (cold)

45 / 100
15 / 100

Castability

35 / 100
70 / 100

Brazeability / Solderability

65 / 100
45 / 100

Polishability

55 / 100
50 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

25 MJ/kg10,748 BTU/lb
24 MJ/kg10,318 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

1.9 kg CO₂/kg
2 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

40 L/kg4.8 gal/lb
45 L/kg5.4 gal/lb

Typical Recycled Content

25%
80%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

71 kN·m/kg
68 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

26.4 MN·m/kg
25.5 MN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

263 kJ/m³
272 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

13.1 mm²/s
9.8 mm²/s

Thermal Shock Resistance Index

11
8

Strength versus weight

Yield strength against density for every steel grade in the FabDigit library; the compared grades are highlighted. Up and left is stronger for its weight.

2005001,0002,0007.588.5Density (g/cm³)Yield strength (MPa) — log scale35#A352 Grade LC3

Manufacturing and finishing

Capability35#A352 Grade LC3
CNC machiningYes—
Sheet metalYes—
Default conditionHR—
Relative cost$ Budget$$$ Premium
Min. machined wall0.8 mm—
Best machined surfaceRa 1.6 µm—
AlCrNYes—
AlTiNYes—
Black OxideYes—
CVD Al2O3Yes—
CVD TiCNYes—
CVD TiNYes—
CerakoteYes—
Chrome PlatingYes—
CrNYes—
DLCYes—
E-CoatingYes—
HVOF CoatingYes—
Hot-Dip GalvanizingYes—
MoS2Yes—
Multilayer CVDYes—
Nickel PlatingYes—
PTFE CoatingYes—
PaintingYes—

They share 9 finishes: Copper Plating, Electroless Nickel (EN), Epoxy Coating, Gold Plating, Hard Chrome Plating, Manganese Phosphate, Plasma Spray, Silver Plating, Zinc Phosphate.

35# vs A352 Grade LC3 — frequently asked

Is 35# stronger than A352 Grade LC3?

Yes. 35# has a typical tensile strength of 560 MPa (81.2 ksi) against 530 MPa (76.9 ksi) for A352 Grade LC3 — about 6% more.

Which is cheaper, 35# or A352 Grade LC3?

35# is the lower-cost material: it sits in the budget tier ($) while A352 Grade LC3 is premium ($$$). Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.

Which is easier to machine, 35# or A352 Grade LC3?

35#, by a small margin. Both rate good for machinability — 60/100 against 55/100 for A352 Grade LC3; for welding the order is A352 Grade LC3 first (very good, 70/100) then 35# (good, 55/100).

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in 35# and A352 Grade LC3 side by side — material, machining time, tolerance and finish in one quote. Certified material data ships with the order on request.

Typical handbook values for the conditions named above, normalised for comparison. Hardness on non-Brinell scales is converted approximately for charting only. Request certified data with your order for design-critical properties.